Antibody to HSV-2 Induced Tumor Specific Antigens in Serums from Patients with Cervical Carcinoma
L. Aurelian 1,
B. Schumann 1,
R. L. Marcus 1, and
H. J. Davis 1
1 Departments of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
Antibody distinct from that involved in neutralization and directed to an antigen (AG-4) induced in HEp-2 cells by infection with herpesvirus type 2 was identified in serums from patients with cervical carcinoma by means of a quantitative micro complement fixation test. The presence of antibody to AG-4 correlates well with the extent of the tumor; antibody is virtually absent in matched control women and in women with therapy and without recurrent neoplasia. Reactivity is not observed with control antigen consisting of a cell extract prepared from uninfected HEp-2 cells. The possible prognostic significance of this antibody and its implications are discussed.
